Question of the Week: 78 - 9/22/2002Would You Take Part in a Public Event or Protest AS a Pagan?Many Pagans or Heathens have always been a little leery about taking part in public events, protests or in signing their real names to letters or petitions. Given the current climate in the United States and across the world since 9/11, are you more or less inclined to be open about your spiritual beliefs or religion than you once were? Are you more fearful of reprisals or discrimination? Do you think that you would be placed on a surveillance list if you participated in public events or signed petitions with your legal name? Are you more cautious than you may have been before? Or have the events emboldened you to take a more public stance?

I would gladly protest in defense of myself and my fellow pagans. As for the repercussions, so what? Nothing truly worth fighting for (I do not mean violence, just struggle of any kind) came without sacrifice.

I would definitely protest as a pagan. If 9/11 has anything to do with this, at least for me, it's only that I think people need to *know*. The attacks were made by ignorant, bigoted people, and if America responds in kind, then nothing is solved. We're best off knowing what people are about, instead of just assuming that anyone who's different is an enemy.

I am completely out of the broom closet and intend to stay that way. Frankly, I wish I knew more pagans who were interested in political activism. If anyone knows of such a group in the greater Los Angeles area, I'd like to know about it. I am also looking for a Yahoo group on the same subject.

for any view or belief that I have! I would attend any function that needed my support that I believe in. I am way out of the closet. I wear my pentacle proudly, and now there are many in my community who also wear theirs now as well! So far there have been no terribly negative things said to me or any of my brothers and sisters of our pagan/wiccan community. Blessings to all out there!Cindy

Of course i would. I live in a very christian town in New England, and i think more voices and religoius views sould be heard. I am very very proud of my choice of the path and i would love to tell people that!

It is sad that even in the 21st century, Pagans, gay individuals, people of color, and anyone else who doesn't belong to the masses have to confront discrimination and prejudice.

As a former Christian, becoming a Pagan is the most spiritually fulfilling thing I've ever done. I'm proud, I'm happy, and I want to tell the world, however........

Yes, I will hide the pentacle I wear around my neck when I go on a job interview.Yes, I am afraid of reprisals and discrimination.

but ....

I am open about my spiritual path (once I get to know a person).I would participate in public events and sign petitions with my legal name.

I believe the current young generation is more tolerant and open minded about all kinds of issues. They also seem to be more inclined to express their individuality than generations before. I believe that when this generation becomes the "controlling" generation, Pagans will be more accepted and understood.

My comment to anyone who has something negative to say about the Pagan Religion:*** "Read a book!" ***

I know how much problem it can be, especially in the "Bible Belt", to stand up and be counted, but I believe it is as necessary as it was for Rosa Parks to take her stand. If we are not counted, and ready to speak up for our Constitutional rights, we allow others to take them away and keep us in hiding.

I stand up every day...for myself and for those who feel they can't. Even as a fairly lonely pagan living in the heart of some of the most virulently fundamentalist area in the nation, I didnt hesitate to initiate a civil lawsuit to get the Ten Commandments removed from local government buildings, nor did i waver when virtually every co-worker of mine told me the best way to lose your head is to stick your neck out. Does Ashcroft's bullying make me more cautious about what i say or do? If it did, i would feel as if i was betraying who i am and everything that i stand for.

It's nice to see that so many people would stand up for their beliefs in the face of so much adversity by the general population as well as by the George “can I start the apocalypse” Bush administration. Since the publication of my book “Religious Conceit” (ISBN: 1-4033-2004-7) in July of 2002, we have finally begun to make some inroads with the media allowing for a real debate on the issues, even if they are somewhat watered down as to not offend the delicate ego of our homegrown fanatics and megalomaniacs. Being an election year also helps, but I am encouraged to see so many people who are willing to stand up for the American ideals, born not of Christendom as the zealots would claim, but of ancient Pagan Greece, Rome, and Egypt. From Plato comes our democracy; from Socrates comes our western thought.

Unfortunately, people are very confused as to the actual history of America. What the founding fathers actually believed, where the origins of their philosophies come from, and what it means to hold those beliefs. Today our leaders will act like Hitler while claiming to be a Churchill, a gross error that elevates one and disgraces the other. The first followed the Christian philosopher, Machiavelli; while the latter was inspired by the pagan philosopher and last great Emperor, Marcus Aurelius by carrying the “meditations” everywhere Churchill went.

If we were to stand up and talk of real virtue, the moral crusaders would expose their impotence, because we can prove that being a patriot is not to be confused with being narcissistic. One is the protector of an ideal; while the other is so self-absorbed thinking nobody else but themselves is capable of using their brain.

We are a knowledge based religion! Why is everyone so hung-up on being hung-up on something which can never be proven? In government they call that pork; in religion they call that faith Link to More info related to this post -- HERE

I would have to say since 911, that i have been much more open about my religous choice, I have been practicing Wicca for 7 years now, and for most of it i have been very closed about my choice till about 2 years ago and even then it was only revealed in certain company of religously tolerant persons, but now i dont hide it if i am asked by anyone I tell them proudly that I am Wiccan, I have yet to get any real retalation or anything from anyone, I have several close friends of christian based religions who know that I am a "witch" and they kinda think its cool. Yet you can't help but also admit that in the last few years the social climate has changed alot and become more open, so yes 911 is a major point in a timeline but is it the nucleaus for those of us that are out of the closet since then or is the social climate that brought us out, I think it is more social climate then it is anything else, devastating and alarming 911 was but should it be a major contributing factor in "coming out of the broom closet" I think not, but after all it is not my place to tell anyone how to worship or practice... Bright blessings to all!

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